And then, too, it was merely an ordinary affair; nothing more was done than is always done in such matters of business." Duthil, who for the first time in his life had felt anxious, listened like one that needs to be reassured.

"Quite so, eh ?" he exclaimed.
"That's what I thought.

There isn't a cat to be whipped in the whole affair." He tried to laugh as usual, and no longer exactly knew how it was that he had received some ten thousand francs in connection with the matter, whether it were in the shape of a vague loan, or else under some pretext of publicity, puffery, or advertising, for Hunter had acted with extreme adroitness so as to give no offence to the susceptibilities of even the least virginal consciences.
"No, there's not a cat to be whipped," repeated Duvillard, who decidedly seemed amused by the face which Duthil was pulling.

"And besides, my dear fellow, it's well known that cats always fall on their feet.

But have you seen Silviane ?" "I just left her.